The Arrangement 22 (The Ferro Family) Read Online Free PDF

groans softly, and I don’t turn as I speak. “Time to go?”
    “Pull out. They’re headed this way with Vic Jr. in tow. I’m supposed to be here for them so get the fuck out now.”
    “Got it.”
    Marty jogs down the hall, repeats his message to the girls, then melts into the shadows.
    I want to free my mother, but that means revealing we’re coming. It risks Avery, and I can’t do it. I’ve played the scenario over and over again in my mind, trying to come up with an alternative, but I come up empty handed. There’s no way to release my mother without giving us away. I can’t jeopardize Avery. I won’t lose her. I have to protect her. Even so, Pete will kill me if something happens to Mother. Jon will... Well, it’s hard to predict how he’ll react. Jon’s still pissed at the world and hides it with a smile.
    As I move down the hall, I meet up with the girls. Mel arches a brow at me and snorts. “You were into kinky shit before you met Black, weren’t you?”
    Avery gasps and whispers, “Don’t ask him that! I haven’t even asked him that!”
    “Well, ask him! He’s standing right here.”
    I repress the growl that’s building in the back of my throat. “Ladies, we need to grab Henry and get out. I’m sorry it was for nothing. I can’t believe we’re leaving empty handed.”
    “We aren’t.” Avery’s eyes gleam, and she tips her head toward Mel.
    “We found a stash of cash and more. Check it.” She holds up a baggie and tosses it to me. I slow, glance around a corner, then open the pouch and glance inside. Clear stones gleam within.
    “Diamonds?” I'm surprised Black keeps them here. “Where were these?”
    “In a practice bull along with a stash of cash.” Mel holds up a handful of one hundred dollar bills.
    “You took it?” I hiss, scolding her. I can’t help it because it was an incredibly reckless, infantile move. “Removing those things could backfire. What if she notices they’re gone?”
    “There had to be a cool mil in there, along with a bunch of other jewel baggies. She won’t miss one unless she inventoried before tonight.” Mel shrugs. “Besides, this could make a big difference for a girl like me. I earned this and, if I don’t get whacked tonight, I’m starting over again. This pouch will help me.”
    Avery reaches out, takes Mel’s hand, and squeezes it reassuringly.
    We’re taking too long, and I feel my nerves fraying. “That’s a lovely story, but we need to get the fuck out of here. Where’s Henry?”
    “Still in the computer room,” Mel says, but as we step in front of the door, he’s gone.
    I swear and shove my hands through my hair. I need to get that moron out of here before he gets caught, but I don’t know where he went. I shoot a text to Marty and continue shoving the girls toward the door.
    My phone buzzes:
    MARTY: HIDE. THEY ARE HERE.
    “Shit.” Something inside me snaps and clicks into place. I’m on autopilot. I usher the girls to the basement. Just as the back door opens, we're swallowed by the darkness, safe to observe several pairs of feet shuffling by, each making a distinct sound. The click-clack noise of Black’s heels is easy to identify. The thick leather soles of Vic’s shoes make a silent swish. The other men scuffle behind them, totaling eight.
    A silver beam of moonlight cuts through the basement window, illuminating Avery's face. Her big brown eyes glance at me, near panic. She whispers, “What do we do?”
    I shake my head and put a finger to my lips. Knowing Black, she has the entire place bugged. Unless Henry left the security system in chaos mode, she’ll see us. Cameras are concealed in the upper corners of the basement walls. I saw them in the security room when we entered the house.
    Mel gestures toward the tiny windows leading to the side lawn. She tips her head and moves her eyes in a way that tells me exactly what she’s thinking.
    I nod silently and step closer, whispering so low it barely makes a sound.